PAN mayoral candidate assassinated, cartels blamed

Mario Guajardo, the PAN candidate for mayor of Villa Hermosa, Tamaulipas, was assassinated along with his son and an employee. Two assassins entered the offices of his company, confirmed his identity, and shot him. Twenty-two 9mm cartridge cases were recovered at the site. PAN leader César Nava blamed the drug cartels for the killing, and said that Guajardo had received several threats in recent days demanding that he quit the race. The PAN has been unable to field candidates in several towns in Tamaulipas because of threats from the cartels. (Universal 5/14)